Confidence levels among HR jobseekers have bounced back strongly as job vacancies in human resources, recruitment and training become more plentiful, according to leading HR job site Changeboard.
Respondents to Changeboard's latest Jobseeker Confidence Index survey reported an increased availability of jobs relevant to their skills, experience and location in March.
On a scale of 1 to 10, jobseekers rated the availability of relevant jobs at 4.3 on average (up from 4.1 in February and January 2011).
Respondents also expressed greater confidence about their chances of securing a job interview and of being offered a job.
Asked to rate the likelihood that they will secure a job interview in the next four weeks (out of 10), jobseekers’ responses averaged 4.1 (up from 3.8 in February).
Fewer respondents than in previous months said they were certain not to get an interview in the next four weeks (15%). And more rated their chances of securing an interview at 7 out of 10 or more (20%).
Jobseekers were even more positive about their prospects of receiving a job offer in the next three months – at 4.6 (up from 4.4 last month).
Unemployed candidates feeling more positive
There is greater positivity among the 41% of respondents who are currently out of work, despite the fact that they do not share their employed peers' sense that the job market has picked up.
Their expectations of securing a job interview in the next four weeks increased from 3.7 out of 10 in February to 4.2 in March. And they judge that their chance of being offered a job in the next three months has increased from 4.2 to 4.6.
Meanwhile, jobseekers looking for senior HR management and HR director jobs expressed an across-the-board increase in confidence, with a particularly marked increase in their anticipation of securing a job interview in the next four weeks (from 3.8 to 4.2).
Analysis of survey results
Rob Willock, Changeboard’s Chief Operating Officer, commented: “Our third Jobseeker Confidence Index demonstrates a solid bounce back in jobseeker confidence following a relatively depressed February.
“This coincides with an marked increase in the number of quality vacancies we are currently advertising on Changeboard. Blue-chip private sector employers are noticeably more active in the recruitment market, and are being rewarded with high numbers of job applications from qualified and experienced HR professionals.
The retail, FMCG, media and consulting sectors are particularly buoyant, remarked Willock.
As a result of the increased recruitment activity, candidates feel more confident about their chances of securing an interview and ultimately being offered a job.
See March's survey results and the Jobseeker Confidence Index graph below.
JCI survey results March 2011
March 2011 results (base = 100.0 @ January 2011)
Index of Job Availability: 101.9
Index of Confidence about securing an interview: 102.8
Index of Confidence about securing a job offer: 101.1
Changeboard’s Jobseeker Confidence Index will survey active and passive HR jobseekers each month to gauge their personal experience of the HR jobs market. In time this will build into an essential index showing the changing confidence levels of HR jobseekers.
For more information contact Changeboard on 020 8675 8851.
